Under the
Au Pair in Austria program, au pairs
are welcomed into the homes of Austrian Host Families Au Pair as a
family member for a 9 or 12 month cultural exchange.They participate
in cultural and educational activities designed to teach them about Austrian life, and they assist with child care. Summer placements of
three months, June 15th through September 15th, can also be arranged.

PROGRAM
BENEFITS

1. The Au Pair will live with a
carefully screened Host Family who will treat the Au Pair as a family
member, not as a servant. 2. Au
Pairs will be given the phone numbers of other Au Pairs in the area
from many areas of Europe and North America.3. Au
Pairs will have access to an emergency phone number.4.
Opportunities to study at a local educational institution are available
with a variety of curriculum choices.5. Every
consideration will be given to the Au Pairís preferences concerning
ages of children and special requests.6.
Pocket money that varies from country to country, please ask what the
country you want pays.7.
Private room.

IN
RETURN
YOU

Provide approximately 25 hours of
quality childcare or childcare activities per week.

Commit to a
9 or 12 month program. Summer placements of
three
months, June 15th through September 15th, can also be arranged.

RESPONSIBILITIES

FAMILIES

1. The Host Family will accept the Au
Pair as a member of the family and not as an employee or boarder.
2. The
Host Family will provide the Au Pair with a private room and full
board, as well as pocket money throughout his or her stay.3. The
Host Family understands that the primary function of the program is a
cultural exchange. As a result, they will allow the Au Pair to attend
classes and participate in cultural opportunities.4. The
Host Family will allow weekends free and two weeks holiday with pocket
money if the au pair stays a year.

AU PAIRS

1. The Au Pair will provide
approximately 25 hours of childcare and childcare related housekeeping
for the Host Family.2. As a member of the family, the
Au Pair will be expected to share in the usual household chores along
with other family members. Heavy housework is not the responsibility of
the Au Pair. 3.
The Au Pair is to be of assistance to the Host
Family and in every way try to fulfill the duties expected.
Collaborating agencies will be available to assist both parties, and
will assist to resolve any disputes as to appropriate expectations.4. Au Pairs
are responsible for any personal expenses
incurred while living in the home of the Host Family. This would
include telephone bills, etc.

ALL AU
PAIRS MUST:

1. Be between 18 and 25.5 years
old.2.
Have some child care experience.3.
Be a non-smoker and non-drug user.4.
Speak intermediate oral German.5.
Be able to make 9 or 12 month commitment. Summer placements of three
months, June 15th through September 15th, can also be arranged.

OUR BACKGROUND

Planet Au
Pair is an American run au pair agency, founded
January, 1992, working with the United States, England, Ireland, Holland,
France, Austria and Italy, among other countries.

We were
formed with the purpose of facilitating
opportunities
for young people to visit and learn about different countries in order
to better understand the peoples, and become familiar with the
history and culture of each country as well as to improve their
language proficiency.

CULTURAL

Planet
Au Pair offers the opportunity to experience the Austrian culture with the safe and secure environment of a
Austrian
Host Family. The program strives to cultivate better intercultural
awareness among participants and bring about a greater understanding
among other nations.

VISA

If accepted
by Planet Au Pair, and you are from an EU
(European Union) member country, a visa is not necessary. If you
are from a non EU country, you will need to apply for a visa at your
nearest Embassy or Consulate of your target country. We will
inform you as to what you need to do, but please realize that it may
take up to two months to get the visa, so plan ahead!

SUPERVISION

The staff
at our collaborating agencies are always
nearby.
They are always available for counsel, assistance and continual support
during the length of your stay. They are also present to mediate in the
event of a dispute or disagreement between the Au Pair and the Host
Family.

EDUCATION

If you wish
to attend language classes or any other
educational pursuit while you are in your target country, the host
family must allow time for this activity. It is, however, always not
mandatory.

HOST FAMILY

Through
the Planet Au Pair Au Pair Program, every Au Pair is welcomed to
Austria as a member of an Austrian family. The relationship that
develops between the Au Pair and the Host Family is one that
lasts a lifetime. Au Pairs can explore the exciting culture of
Austria while
enjoying the warmth and security of a stable, secure family life.

HOW MUCH IS THE POCKET MONEY?

Between 70 and 100
Ä per week.

HOST FAMILY SCREENING

Host
Families accepted by Planet Au Pair and our collaborating agencies are
thoroughly screened to ensure a safe, comfortable home for every Au
Pair. Each prospective Host Family must submit a lengthy application,
undergo an in depth personal interview, provide solid character
references, and sign a written statement agreeing to abide by the
programís guidelines.

Unlike most
other programs, Planet Au Pair permits each
Au
Pair to choose the family with whom they will be placed. After speaking
with one another, the Host Family and the Au Pair decide together
whether or not they are well suited for each other.

Based on
extensive experience, Planet Au Pair will refer
Au
Pairs to families who have similar interests and backgrounds, but the
final decision is always up to the Au Pair and the Host Family.

In the
unlikely event that the Au Pair is dissatisfied
with
the family, our collaborating agency in your target country will help
in attempting to resolve any problems. If the problems are insolvable,
the Au Pair will be placed with another Host Family, provided the Au
Pair has followed the programís guidelines.

Health
Insurance:Your
responsibility. Some European Union countries have treaties with your
target country. Check with your health provider to see if your country
has one. You can also check out Traveler's Insurance.

Transportation:Your responsibility.

PAYMENT PROCEDURE

Once you have been accepted by a family and you have also
accepted the family, you need to pay the placement fee prior to your
departure
for your target country. You will be sent an invoice with bank wire
instructions.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

1. Read this web site thoroughly
and complete the application form neatly. 2.
Either send them all by regular
mail or scan everything (including the signed application) and email
everything (preferred).3.
When the office receives your application, you will be contacted with
information regarding the status of your file. 4.
Your application will be circulated among Host families that have been
selected for you.5.
You then will begin to receive phone calls from Host Families that are
interested in you. You may hear from several families before you and
the potential Host Family agree that you are well suited for each other.6.
Once accepted by a Host Family, you will need to pay your placement
fee, make
transportation
arrangements and communicate them to our office.7.
Upon arrival in your target country, you will be picked up at the
airport by your Host Family. After you settle in, give our
collaborating agency a call to tell them how you are doing.

In order to
process your application, we need the
following:

Application,
properly filled out1 passport size photo (smiling!)4 children photos (you with children)A ďDear FamilyĒ letter, in
German, stating who you are, why you want to go to your target
country, your hobbies, interests, experience with children, any special
considerations (such as diet), etc..2 or 3 reference letters, translated into
German. At least one should be a child care reference.Medical Report, a letter from your family doctor on his or her
letterhead stating you are in good health and have no communicable
illnesses.Police Report: go to your local police department and ask them for
a name check for traveling purposes.Photocopy of your driverís
license if you have one.Photocopies of any
degrees, high school diploma or other qualifications such as first aid
or childcare courses.